Everyone is a sales guy!
This week I had a very interesting discussion with a good friend of mine in Human Resources. We were talking about the skill set to be successful in the business environment and how individuals self perceptions can sometimes work against them. A case in point is the comment: "he is such a sales guy". I personally have heard this so many times I have lost count. I understand that the intent is to insult the target of the comment but in my humble opinion this is actually a great complement! Here is why:
1. Sales people are the infantry of the work force. Sent into messy situations, often with little support (ie. here is the phone book start dialing for dollars). In spite of this they persevere, often taking heavy losses and making sacrifices to ensure the missions success.
2. They are problem solvers extrodinaire- Often having to deal with issues that they don't know about, operating with limited visibility to scope and difficulty. Yet through a disciplined process and flawless execution succeed and bring the customer to the table and revenue to the business.
3. Collaborators and consensus builders- You will not be successful in sales if you are unable to build consensus and collaborate with the many support resources required to bring the sale to fruition. Salespeople have to be adept at understanding and balancing multiple interests and agenda, seeking middle ground, and collaborating with both internal and external groups.
4. Strategists and tactical mavericks- The best of our profession are able to view each opportunity as a battle. Not against the customer but against all the forces working against the partnership (internal and external). The successful sales person recognizes that the careful movement of pieces and the use of adept strategy and unmatched tactical maneuvers are key to overcoming objections, bypassing roadblocks, and securing consent.
This is a short list (I am sure there are many more) but key in my mind is that these are skills that, irrespective of your function in the organization, anyone would be proud to have attached to their name. In fact, I would propose, that to be successful in any function in the business world you would need to have developed skills in each of these areas. At the end of the day everyone is selling something-whether its a product, idea, yourself, promotion, etc. The skills of successful selling brings value to every organizational function and as such in my mind there is no higher compliment than being called a "salesperson".
Moment of Zen
"A man is made by his belief. As he believes so he is."-Bhagavad Gita
P.S. If you are interested in leveraging the karmic philosophy to accelerate your career or business please check out my website http://www.karmiccoach.com , and get Karma working for you!
1. Sales people are the infantry of the work force. Sent into messy situations, often with little support (ie. here is the phone book start dialing for dollars). In spite of this they persevere, often taking heavy losses and making sacrifices to ensure the missions success.
2. They are problem solvers extrodinaire- Often having to deal with issues that they don't know about, operating with limited visibility to scope and difficulty. Yet through a disciplined process and flawless execution succeed and bring the customer to the table and revenue to the business.
3. Collaborators and consensus builders- You will not be successful in sales if you are unable to build consensus and collaborate with the many support resources required to bring the sale to fruition. Salespeople have to be adept at understanding and balancing multiple interests and agenda, seeking middle ground, and collaborating with both internal and external groups.
4. Strategists and tactical mavericks- The best of our profession are able to view each opportunity as a battle. Not against the customer but against all the forces working against the partnership (internal and external). The successful sales person recognizes that the careful movement of pieces and the use of adept strategy and unmatched tactical maneuvers are key to overcoming objections, bypassing roadblocks, and securing consent.
This is a short list (I am sure there are many more) but key in my mind is that these are skills that, irrespective of your function in the organization, anyone would be proud to have attached to their name. In fact, I would propose, that to be successful in any function in the business world you would need to have developed skills in each of these areas. At the end of the day everyone is selling something-whether its a product, idea, yourself, promotion, etc. The skills of successful selling brings value to every organizational function and as such in my mind there is no higher compliment than being called a "salesperson".
Moment of Zen
"A man is made by his belief. As he believes so he is."-Bhagavad Gita
P.S. If you are interested in leveraging the karmic philosophy to accelerate your career or business please check out my website http://www.karmiccoach.com , and get Karma working for you!
Comments